Wet Shave at the Gym?

I found that shaving with a straight is a little difficult at the gym because: a) there is a lot of commotion in the change room. b) somehow, a different environment leads to a way different experience c) I'm a little pressed for time d) time is sometimes wasted by having to explain my straights; not necessarily a bad thing. I usually do 3 passes at home, but feel 2 is good enough at the gym. Space is at a premium in the change room, as are faucets. I shave in a mirror on the wall, which works well for me as I like being close up to see what I'm doing. I have a 'travel kit' with all the needed things for a great shave. I absolutely hate bringing bulky, full containers of product along with me so I resort to re-packing product into smaller, functional containers. I have 'trial size' containers for my creams, which i refill every week, and pipettes to hold my aftershave balm. I bought the Simpsons Wee Scot and it delivers. I tried face lathering, but it does not work for me. Instead, i use 'sweetheart cups' which are disposable sample cups that hold about 3-1/4 oz that are a perfect substitute for a shave mug. I usually bring my Joseph Allan or Genco straights as they are really reliable. I also bring an alum block (still looking for a miniature replacement), and Proaso Styptic gel. Overall the process is a big pain, but the more I do it the more natural it seems. Do any members have tips on wet shaving at the gym ...any experiences you'd like to share ....or have I just taken the love of shaving a little too far? :)

I don't find it any different to any travel shaving, my dopp bag has everything I need and as to being bothered , a very menacing look with a razor in hand usually takes care of that issue. Tc

Why don't you just cut a piece off of your current alum block?

When I get negative comments or wise cracks about shaving with a str8 razor to shut them up I simply say "real men shave with a str8 razor"!

Could you use a styptic pencil?

I didn't know people shaved at the gym. Personally, I spend as little time as possible in the gym's change room. Although I don't shave there, It sounds like you already have the process figured out quite well!

:chapeau

Shaving has become such a private time that I just cant imagine doing this with the potential disruptions. But to each their own!

When I still worked, there was lots of man camps around the world that we had common shower areas, so shaving in a locker room is common, or at the country club( not me) but my dad did a lot when he was younger. So it's not that unusual, Tc

thanks for the input guys. edhewitt i'll try to take a slice off of my current one, thanks. I don't mind people asking me about the straight razor shaving. In fact, I like spreading the word, although, I know many of them would not try it. YES it is a 'private time' ritual, and I get a better shave and enjoyment at home, but, as I love the process so much that I always want to shave that way. At home, i pretty much don't bleed with the exception of a few razor bumps here and there. Yesterday morning I butchered my face. There were quite a few people around me and a few friends that were chatting me up, blade in hand. I hit a pimple area and the red alert indicator went off. As i waited for the styptic gel to set, I guess rushed the rest and got cuts on my upper lip. At the end of it, I got my shave but spent more time worrying about the wounds. Meh... work in progress (or just masochistic). Happy shaving everyone!

always room for progress!

I shaved at a gym for almost 10 years. I had my own locker where I stored a 7 day set of razors, a couple barber hones that exclusively maintained those razors, a strop, a mug of soap, and a brush. Few people bothered me though I occasionally noticed people silently watching from a distance. Only a very few asked my about my stuff.

One guy asked me if they were legal!

One old guy came around the corner, saw me, and yelled (seriously, yelled) "Good god! A straight man!"

All of the activity around the 10 sinks in a row in front of benches and lockers never bothered me. I had no problem focussing on what I was doing. As far as I was concerned, this was how I shaved and I was there to shave and so that's what I did.

I often shave at my gym. I found that travel toothbrush and soap cases are perfect for storing my razor and brush. As a bonus, the soap case doubles as a shaving bowl. (On the rare occasion that I use a DE, I can fit both DE and brush in the soap case together.)
Curious as to what other members use.

The only downside that I've noticed is being able to hold my razor steady after shoulder day.

here's what I use at the gym and how I carry them. I'm pretty OCD about what goes into my gym bag. I like traveling light. This means that big ol containers of stuff just will not do. I travel with enough product to last me the week. From left; pipettes filled with pre shave oil, glycerin, facial scrub and after shave balm. The two lip balm containers were repurposed for hair wax and pomade. The two black pots were trial size shaving cream containers - usually filled with TOBS and Baume.be. Alum (I left it large size because i like the applicator), Simpsons Wee Scott, and a place to stash the straight. I hate having too many things rolling around in my kit, so I used a foam block to customize fit all these things. I lather into the sweetheart cup which is perfect for the brush size i use. A comb to round things out. I've been using this method for about 3 months now and dig it. It takes a bit of discipline to refill everything and have the blades stropped before hand but I don't mind.Attachment 234088

Great looking kit. I haven't thought of using semi rigid foam for that before. I will have to carve one up for a travel kit.

I've been keen to do an attention grabbing straight shave at the gym, just to see the massive interest that would immediately result...just haven't goo ten round to it and don't know if I really want to be that attention seeking, but I know it would be very cool...I think ;-)

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Originally Posted by Phrank

I've been keen to do an attention grabbing straight shave at the gym, just to see the massive interest that would immediately result.. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,)

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Really !! The last time we saw you at the gym, there was nobody there! Just your mug staring into the surveillance camera; the RCMP is still looking for ya , I hear. :shrug:

BOLO !!

That stands for, "Be On The Look Out "

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Attachment 234173

That was during my Spidey phase - thinking of morphing into DC Comics Rorschach, ever changing, but never compromising.

May be hard to shave though with that face mask on...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phrank

I've been keen to do an attention grabbing straight shave at the gym, just to see the massive interest that would immediately result...just haven't goo ten round to it and don't know if I really want to be that attention seeking, but I know it would be very cool...I think ;-)

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Trust me, attention you will get. I don't mind the attention, but when i was starting out it was kinda irritating. I'd get kinda freaked out by the proximity people were to me, and I'd get super self conscious if i nicked off a pimple or razor bump - at that point people only see the red. They are curious, and some find it hilarious. It's weird though when someone decides to have a convo with you, face half shaven, cream drying up and beginning to flake...lol. It's a cake walk now.

I'm surprised by this. I got/get very little attention in the gym locker room. Maybe occasionally I should try to bleed a little...? :)

I think it's hilarious when you see on the mirror guys just doing double takes like whoa what are you doing... Haha. I am on deployment and I shave in the communal bathroom here. Too funny.


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I do my bimonthly chest shave with a DE at the gym. That way it's not my drain that gets clogged.

Unless you leave your kit at the gym, in my city you could very likely be arrested for carrying a concealed weapon!

If speed is an issue, maybe switch to a DE and save the straight for home? I do like the way you kit is put together, with the foam to hold everything.
Red

I like my kit too! hehe! I actually think i'll revamp it some time soon. Speed used to be an issue. I just set some boundaries for myself, and got better at shaving. I actually don't have any interest in DE razors. I have nothing against them but part of the art of shaving for me is to keep the edge sharp. I like knowing that my honing skills results in a nice clean shave. That isn't really the case in a DE or Shavette where you replace the blade. Maybe one of these days I'll add them, but for now, it's all straights for me.

I thought about this for a long time, but I don't know if I can shave at my school's gym. My *law school gym.* Too many cranky, paranoid, stressed, eager, and annoying people to be around.

Lawyers ask too many questions. I'm not into talking when I shave. Also, the concealed weapon thing freaks me out. I'm not trying to get expelled because someone else's mom found out some Latin kid carries a knife in his pocket to slice hairs off his face with.

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Originally Posted by J743

I thought about this for a long time, but I don't know if I can shave at my school's gym. My *law school gym.* Too many cranky, paranoid, stressed, eager, and annoying people to be around.

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Being around affable, goodhearted, well meaning, friendly people isn't the easiest either. A lot of them typically just say Hi and understand when I don't engage. If i have steel on skin, I'm all business, but if I'm lathering up or in between passes, i'm good for a chat.

The concealed weapon thing is kinda disconcerting to me, based on principal. It's not the instrument, it's the use or intent. If I was carrying a wrench in my bag, and bludgeoned someone, then it is a weapon. If I'm using it to turn a bolt, then it's a tool.

I fail to see carrying a straight a crime here in Toronto as they sell them in speciality stores. I'm not sure of the laws here (any Torontonians/Canadians have info?), but until a cop comes and raids my locker it's a non issue.

The shave at the gym was a necessity for me. It took a long time to adjust, but i managed. If you have some reserves about shaving in what seems to be a privately owned facility, I think the bigger picture is what is important. Save the glorious ritual for home.